BAM Appointed to Deliver £18.6m Staff Accommodation at North Devon District Hospital

BAM UK & Ireland has secured an £18.6 million contract to deliver new staff and student accommodation at North Devon District Hospital, aimed at helping address workforce recruitment and retention challenges at one of England’s most remote acute mainland hospitals.

The development will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms and four family apartments for clinical staff, offering modern living accommodation close to the hospital. Residents will benefit from shared kitchen, dining and living areas, alongside a range of amenities designed to support staff wellbeing.

Located in Barnstaple, the hospital serves a largely rural and coastal population and plays a critical role in delivering healthcare services across the wider region. Long commutes and limited local housing availability have historically made it difficult for the hospital to attract and retain staff, which the new accommodation aims to address.

The project is backed by £22.7 million from the national New Hospital Programme, forming the first phase of the Trust’s Our Future Hospital Programme, a long-term initiative focused on redeveloping and modernising clinical facilities.

Construction will be carefully planned to minimise disruption to the live hospital environment, drawing on BAM’s experience delivering healthcare projects in operational settings.

The scheme will also prioritise local economic benefits, with more than 80% of project spend expected to be sourced locally. BAM will work with community partners, including Jobcentre Plus, to create employment and training opportunities for young people and those currently not in education, employment or training.